2015/2016 - Predict the starting lineup

[GranteedEV]

This is what I had back in May.

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I dunno, but I wouldn't mind this:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Shore
Poirier-Bennett-Hudler
Bouma-Backlund-Jooris
Colborne-Stajan-Jones

LW/RW Byron
LW/RW Ferland

1st callups:
LW Granlund
C Arnold
RW Hathaway

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Petry
Schlemko-Wideman
RD Engelland

1st callups:
RD Morrison
LD Kulak

Ortio
Ramo

Well, Frolik > Poirier and Hamilton > Petry and Ferland's been a great surprise. Dunno if Wotherspoon or Wilson can replace Schlemko though.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by codynw

What makes you think David Jones will/should be waived?

What he has going against him is his age and contract status. The Flames are still trying to build a cup contender and this season is still a rebuild year, IMO. I don't see him being re-signed. Maybe the Flames consider that more important than what he will bring to the team this year.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Would love to see Ferland on that first line, as the talent can really spread down the line. Not sure if realistic whether Hudler or Frolik will play left wing (but I believe they both shoot left):
Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Frolik - Bennett - Hudler
Jooris - Backlund - Colborne
Bouma - Stajan - Jones

Shore-Bollig

Granlund and Byron deserve better, but I can't see Bollig or Jones going anywhere soon.

Edit: You can really see how wingers could be moved up and down the line-up, depending on matchups and performance.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by D as in David

What he has going against him is his age and contract status. The Flames are still trying to build a cup contender and this season is still a rebuild year, IMO. I don't see him being re-signed. Maybe the Flames consider that more important than what he will bring to the team this year.

In your scenario, wouldn't they try and get his value higher by playing him in a contract year, and try to move him at the deadline? I don't think it makes sense to bench or waive him in any case.

Generally speaking I think people are underestimating Jones, I think he's going to have a good year and be a meaningful contributor. He had a great playoff series vs Vancouver and by all accounts has had a good camp.

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by heep223

In your scenario, wouldn't they try and get his value higher by playing him in a contract year, and try to move him at the deadline? I don't think it makes sense to bench or waive him in any case.

Generally speaking I think people are underestimating Jones, I think he's going to have a good year and be a meaningful contributor. He had a great playoff series vs Vancouver and by all accounts has had a good camp.

I agree, not to mention Flames have arguably the least amount of depth at RW than anywhere else on the roster.

(Selfish side, he seems to get injured a lot and that can open up some windows for the youngins.)

[debil]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Frolik
Ferland - Bennet -Hudler
Bouma - Backlund - Colborne
Bollig - Stajan - Jones

It will be tough decision to not play someone like Jooris or Byron or Raymond.
On the other hand Granlund is not making the team.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by heep223

In your scenario, wouldn't they try and get his value higher by playing him in a contract year, and try to move him at the deadline? I don't think it makes sense to bench or waive him in any case.

Generally speaking I think people are underestimating Jones, I think he's going to have a good year and be a meaningful contributor. He had a great playoff series vs Vancouver and by all accounts has had a good camp.

Absolutely agree. Just another consideration, though, when trying to whittle down to that final roster. Treliving and his staff seem to be very thorough and I believe they probably run through a number of scenarios, taking into account immediate and longer term needs. They also have the benefit of having a much better idea than we do of what they could receive for either Jones or Shore, if it comes down to moving one of those two.

Also, I don't undervalue Jones; I like what he brings to the team. The Flames are in a good spot now, they have more good players to play for the team than they have available positions.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by hummdeedoo

OMG!! - They killed Lance Bouma

I'm an idiot. He's LW either instead of Granlund or Jooris on one of those lines.

[TrevorKidd37]

I'm amazed that so many people have chosen Hiller over Ramo!! Ramo wasnt signed to be traded, he was signed to be the starting goalie for the Flames this season barring injury, or getting outplayed by Ortio

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by TrevorKidd37

I'm amazed that so many people have chosen Hiller over Ramo!! Ramo wasnt signed to be traded, he was signed to be the starting goalie for the Flames this season barring injury, or getting outplayed by Ortio

Hiller has better stats, better history, been more solid more often

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by TrevorKidd37

I'm amazed that so many people have chosen Hiller over Ramo!! Ramo wasnt signed to be traded, he was signed to be the starting goalie for the Flames this season barring injury, or getting outplayed by Ortio

I agree. Plus I'm pretty sure the majority of us were all more confident with ramo in net by the end of the season rather than hiller.


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[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by TrevorKidd37

I'm amazed that so many people have chosen Hiller over Ramo!! Ramo wasnt signed to be traded, he was signed to be the starting goalie for the Flames this season barring injury, or getting outplayed by Ortio

I could see a case for liking/chosing either goalie. I personally could care less which one stays. They are both 1b goalies. Whoever the GM can trade will be fine by me. Truthfully i don't think there is a market for either goalie , even at 50% off. $1.9 million and $2.25 million is alot of money for a back-up.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Hiller has better stats, better history, been more solid more often

Yes, but it sounds as though Hiller was shopped at the deadline and draft. And from the way the Flames are playing him in preseason, it sounds like they're trying to find a taker now.

Remember, they didn't have to re-sign Ramo. We had a pretty decent situation in Hiller/Ortio as a tandem going into free agency and I think a lot of fans wouldn't have minded starting the season that way. But then we re-sign Ramo. This is IMO very indicative of how little confidence Flames management have in Hiller.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Yes, but it sounds as though Hiller was shopped at the deadline and draft. And from the way the Flames are playing him in preseason, it sounds like they're trying to find a taker now.

Remember, they didn't have to re-sign Ramo. We had a pretty decent situation in Hiller/Ortio as a tandem going into free agency and I think a lot of fans wouldn't have minded starting the season that way. But then we re-sign Ramo. This is IMO very indicative of how little confidence Flames management have in Hiller.

That is what I think too. If the Flames were merely looking to increase the competition level, they would have signed another goalie that was available for a cheaper contract, as there are always cheap backups/tweeners around that would fulfill that purpose.

With that being said, Hiller still could end up stealing back the net. In my mind, he has a recent history (starting in Anaheim) of inconsistent stretches and getting pushed out by incoming goalies.

I would like to add my thoughts on Jones as well. Coming from someone who absolutely detested him in the lineup (and the trade itself at first), I must say that Jones has really started turning his career around here. I don't think he will get near the same contract as he currently holds, but he definitely will remain an NHL player beyond this season by the looks of it. There is no way Jones isn't in anyone's lineup.

I wonder if the Flames are going to try to sneak Shore in through waivers. In my mind, it would suck to lose a promising player, but at the same time I can't really say it would be a huge loss either. I don't think Byron slips through waivers this year - cheap contract and solid 2-way play (few mistakes I find) who adds a tonne of speed to anyone's lineup - I think there is a good chance someone claims him.

Raymond is the easy guy to pass through waivers. Don't think there is much of an appetite for him, and I don't think the Flames would view it as much of a loss either. I can see Arizona perhaps claiming him to try and increase their scoring. Maybe Toronto. However, I would bet nobody does - not with that extra year he has.

Lastly, Colborne. I don't understand why some feel Colborne isn't very important. This guy is literally the only 'monster' we have along the boards now. Flames got seriously destroyed in the cycle on every shift Colborne was not on the ice for against Anaheim. He has put on more weight, and hopefully his wrist heals. I think at this point, he is the most underrated Flame at the moment, and I am betting he has a great season and becomes somewhat of a darling on these boards this year. Roughly 50 pts is what I am thinking he may provide this year, while also going up against some of the large sized possession monsters in the west.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Bouma - Backlund - Frolik
Hudler - Bennett - Colborne
Bollig/Byron - Stajan - Jones
Bollig/Byron

Giordano - Hamilton
Russell - Wideman
Nakladal - Engelland
Wotherspoon

I am thinking Wilson isn't signed with Smid looking like he is coming back sooner rather than later, and Nakladal looking like he will be ready for opening night (as far as I know). Wotherspoon stays up until Smid or Brodie return, and it is a toss up between him and Nakladal to be there on opening night. I can see Hartley rotating the two of them as sort of a lengthier audition of sorts. Neither one will be used as a 7th defencemen - just a longer look as the 6/7th until one of the regulars come back.

[Mr.Coffee]

If Raymond gets claimed on waivers, we celebrate like it's 1999. He might be the worst player still with the team.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Yes, but it sounds as though Hiller was shopped at the deadline and draft. And from the way the Flames are playing him in preseason, it sounds like they're trying to find a taker now.

Remember, they didn't have to re-sign Ramo. We had a pretty decent situation in Hiller/Ortio as a tandem going into free agency and I think a lot of fans wouldn't have minded starting the season that way. But then we re-sign Ramo. This is IMO very indicative of how little confidence Flames management have in Hiller.

I viewed the Ramo signing as insurance incase Ortio doesn't make the team rather than a lack of confidence in Hiller.

[Unknown]

My guess is:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Hudler - Bennett - Frolik
Bouma - Backlund - Colborne
Jooris - Stajan - Jones

Giordano - Hamilton
Russell - Wideman
Wotherspoon - Engelland

Ortio
Rämö

[Bingo]

I think often the waiver process for a player like Raymond is to establish that the right's holder is in a pickle so trade talk can change.

Treliving wouldn't hit the trade market talking about retaining salary until he had to, but clearing waivers tells the world it's the buyers market and then you can get serious about it.

A team like Arizona may want a guy like that as mentioned at half price

[Red Menace]

My guess is:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Ferland-Bennett-Frolik
Bouma-Backlund-Jones
Bollig-Stajan-Jooris
Colborne-Byron
(Raymond and Shore traded /or waived, Granlund demoted)
Giordano-Hamilton
Russell-Wideman
Wilson-Engelland
Nakladal

Ramo-Ortio

If it was up to me I would keep Granlund with the big club and demote Bollig, but I know that wont happen.
I would also keep Hiller instead of Ramo, but think the club will do otherwise....just please don't waive Ortio!

[JurassicTunga12]

With Colborne's injury, my guess:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Granlund - Bennett - Frolik
Bouma - Backlund - Jones
Ferland - Stajan - Jooris

extra: Byron, Bollig, Raymond

Giordano - Hamilton
Russell - Wideman
Kulak - Engelland

extra: Nakladal

injury: Brodie, Smid

Ramo
Hiller
Ortio